U.S. patent application number 12/046900 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-18 for essential home pharmacy kits.
Invention is credited to CHAD E. HARRISON.
Application Number | 20080228160 12/046900 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39763429 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080228160 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HARRISON; CHAD E. |
September 18, 2008 |
ESSENTIAL HOME PHARMACY KITS
Abstract
A home pharmacy kit provided to organize, educate, simplify and
add convenience to the consumer regarding self-treatment with
over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and self-management of therapy with
widely and commonly used OTC medications. The kit of the invention
allows a consumer to achieve appropriate therapy when
self-medicating and allows a consumer to avoid therapeutic
duplication and over utilization and/or underutilization of
medications, which may result from a lack of consumer related to
the action and effects of common active ingredients found in a wide
variety of cold and cough combination drug products as well as in
gastrointestinal combination drug products.
Inventors: |
HARRISON; CHAD E.; (TULSA,
OK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FELLERS SNIDER BLANKENSHIP;BAILEY & TIPPENS
THE KENNEDY BUILDING, 321 SOUTH BOSTON SUITE 800
TULSA
OK
74103-3318
US
|
Family ID: |
39763429 |
Appl. No.: |
12/046900 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60906414 |
Mar 12, 2007 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/404 ;
206/539 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61J 1/03 20130101; B65D
2203/00 20130101; B65D 2313/04 20130101; B65D 21/0205 20130101;
B65D 2313/02 20130101; B65D 21/0204 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/404 ;
206/539 |
International
Class: |
A61J 1/03 20060101
A61J001/03; B65D 83/04 20060101 B65D083/04 |
Claims
1. A medication kit comprising: a plurality of single active
ingredient drugs, each single active ingredient drug in a separate
container, each separate container having a category indicator
thereon; a correlator for correlating said category indicators with
symptomatic references, said correlator for indicating which
combination, if any, of said single active ingredient drugs should
be taken in combination to relieve specific symptoms listed in said
symptomatic reference.
2. The medication kit according to claim 1 wherein: said kit
includes a holder having detachable interconnecting receptacles
that may be connected in a desired configuration, each of said
receptacles for receiving one of said containers.
3. The medication kit according to claim 2 wherein: said kit
includes a holder that is comprised of a plurality of receptacles,
each of said receptacles displaying one of said category indicators
for facilitating easy coordination with one of said containers
having a like category indicator thereon.
4. The medication kit according to claim 3 wherein said holder is
designed for use as a permanent organizer for said containers and
for like replacement containers once said containers are in need of
replacement.
5. The medication kit according to claim 1 further comprising: a
reference chart for comparing popular "over-the-counter"
medications that include one of said plurality of single active
ingredient drugs as an active ingredient.
6. The medication kit according to claim 1 wherein said category
indicator is a color.
7. The medication kit according to claim 6 wherein: said single
active ingredient drug is colored to match the color of a
corresponding one of said category indicators.
8. The medication kit according to claim 1 wherein: said category
indicators distinguish between classes of drugs selected from the
group comprising an expectorant, a pain reliever, a decongestant,
an antitussive, and an antihistamine.
9. The medication kit according to claim 1 wherein: said category
indicators distinguish between classes or drugs selected from the
group comprising an acid reliever, a stool softener, an
anti-diarrheal, an anti-gas, a laxative, and an antacid.
10. A method of delivering symptom specific drugs to a patient
comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of containers, each
container having a single active ingredient medication therein;
locating said plurality of containers in a holder having a
plurality of receptacles, each receptacle for receiving one of said
containers; providing a correlator to allow a person to correlate
symptoms with appropriate containers so that the patient may select
medication from an appropriate container.
11. The method according to claim 10 wherein: said correlator
comprises a category indicator affixed to said receptacle and a
matching category indicator affixed to an appropriate
container.
12. The method according to claim 11 wherein: said category
indicator is a color.
13. The method according to claim 12 wherein: said single active
ingredient drug is colored to match the color of a corresponding
one of said category indicators.
14. The method according to claim 11 wherein: said category
indicator is a symbol.
15. The method according to claim 11 wherein: said category
indicators distinguish between classes of drugs selected from the
group comprising an expectorant, a pain reliever, a decongestant,
an antitussive, and an antihistamine.
16. The method according to claim 11 wherein: said category
indicators distinguish between classes or drugs selected from the
group comprising an acid reliever, a stool softener, an
anti-diarrheal, an anti-gas, a laxative, and an antacid.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claim the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/906,414 entitled "ESSENTIAL HOME PHARMACY
KIT," filed Mar. 12, 2007, the contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a kit and method for
providing single active ingredient cold and cough medicine that
allows a consumer to combine or choose a tailored individual
symptomatic therapy.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Sources indicate that Americans spend $500 to $700 million
annually on over-the-counter products to obtain relief from the
symptoms associated with the common cold. One market research
company reports that over 1400 over-the-counter cough, cold, and
flu products are available on the market. The multitude of cough,
cold and allergy products have resulted in a confusing situation
for the consumer. One reason for the confusion is the large number
of products and brands. A second reason for consumer confusion is
that most cough, cold, and allergy products have multiple
pharmaceutical ingredients for treating more than one symptom. An
additional cause of concern is that several of the pharmaceutical
ingredients in cold, cough, and allergy products are not
recommended for patients who have certain conditions such as high
blood pressure or diabetes or who are on other medications that
could interact. One study undertaken to help health professionals
such as pharmacists in rendering services such as counseling
consumers when approached with questions about cold, cough, and
allergy products discussed the above status with respect to cold,
cough, and allergy medications may be found in the "Journal of
Hospital Marketing", Vol. 13(1) 1999, entitled "OTC Cold, Cough and
Allergy Products: More Choice of More Confusion?".
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is desirable to provide a plurality of single active
ingredient drugs in kit form with a correlator to allow a patient
to easily select drugs for treating particular symptoms while
avoiding the taking of any drugs that are not required to alleviate
a patient's particular symptoms. The kit of the present invention
is an organized system of single active ingredient
"over-the-counter (OTC) Cold and Cough" and/or "Gastrointestinal"
type medications distributed in individual bottles, packaged as a
singularly contained kit and/or individually with the potential to
form a kit by category, which may be designated by color-coding or
other designations. Preferably, the bottle holders are constructed
from interconnected wood, plastic or cardboard, which, when
connected, form an organizer that displays easily understandable
indications for each medication. In addition to facilitating the
correct combination of single active ingredient medications to
treat particular symptoms, the kit also facilitates the correlation
of correct single active ingredient medication for treating a
particular symptom, in the event only a single medication is
required.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a medication holder of
the invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a second embodiment of a medication holder of the
invention.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a third embodiment of a medication holder of the
invention.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a sample medication comparison chart of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] The present invention relates to an "Essential Home Pharmacy
Kit." The kit preferably includes the following components:
[0010] 1. As shown in FIG. 1 connectable and detachable
organizer/holders 10a or a single container 10b (FIGS. 2, 3), each
of which are designed to hold a particular number of containers 12,
such as bottles, blister packs, or other containers. Holder 10 may
include connectable and detachable receptacles 13 connectable via
attachment mechanisms 14. Attachment mechanism 14 may be magnets,
hook and loop fasteners, tongue and groove surfaces, or other
attachment mechanisms. Each container 10 preferable has a category
indicator 16, such as label 18 affixed thereto. The category
indicators 16 may be colors, symbols, or other indicators that can
be affixed to holders 10 and containers 12 for facilitating ease of
correlation of a class of drug indicated by category indicator 16
and the corresponding container 12 located in the correct
receptacle 13. Classes of drug preferably include expectorant, pain
reliever, decongestant, antitussive, and antihistamine. The listed
classes of drugs may also double as symptomatic references, or more
detailed symptomatic references may be listed as shown on labels 18
on container 10b of FIG. 2, thereby facilitating the correlation of
symptomatic references with a correct class of drug.
[0011] In one embodiment, medication, e.g., tablets, within a
container 12 are color coded to match a color of the corresponding
label 18.
[0012] 2. Containers 12 preferably each contain an FDA approved
brand or generic form of a single active ingredient medication by
category.
[0013] 3. One of containers 12 preferably includes an expectorant
(preferably guaifenesin, but may include alternative medications)
for chest congestion.
[0014] 4. One of containers 12 preferably includes a pain reliever,
fever reducer (preferably acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or
aspirin, but may include alternative medications) for headache,
muscle aches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, fever, sore
throat.
[0015] 5. One of containers 12 preferably includes a decongestant
(preferably phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine, but may include
alternative medications) for sinus congestion.
[0016] 6. One of containers 12 preferably includes an antitussive,
e.g., dextromethorphan, for cough, or other suitable medications
for cough.
[0017] 7. One of containers 12 preferably includes an antihistamine
(preferably chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, loratadine,
doxylamine, bropheniramine, or clemastine, but may include
alternative medications) for runny nose, itching, watery eyes,
hives, rashes.
[0018] 8. Referring to FIG. 4, it is desirable to include a
comparison chart for comparing the above listed single active
ingredient drugs to popular OTC medications that contain one or
more of these active ingredients.
[0019] 9. Symptom and active ingredient categories or drug classes
are preferably designated on coded labels 18 that have a category
indicator 16, such as color, or other indicators, which match the
color and/or indicator of the respective holder 10 having a
matching category indicator 16 for easy self diagnosis and
appropriate medicine combination choice.
[0020] Examples of medication that may be used include
acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, Ibuprofen,
dyphenhydramine, pseudophedrine, phenylephrine, dextromethorphan,
guaifenesin, or other medications.
[0021] The present invention encompasses all possible forms of
medication dosing, including tablets, capsules, gelcaps, geltabs,
liquids, effervescent tablets which can be dissolved in liquid,
powder packets which can be dissolved in liquid, chewable tablets,
dissolving tablets, and/or "thin strip" dosage forms. Effervescent
tablets and powder packets each will be designed and packaged so
that the different active ingredients may be added and dissolved
together, for given symptoms, so that each resulting concoction is
unique for each individual. Each concoction will include only
specifically chosen active ingredients. A kit may include
additionally, varied flavor packets that may be added to the
concoction to achieve a particular flavor as desired according the
individual preference of the consumer.
[0022] All dosage strengths, dosage forms and dosage regimens
preferably follow current FDA approved guidelines for each
medication and indication.
[0023] The components of the inventive kit work together to enhance
the understanding of consumers regarding the safe and effective
therapeutic usage of common OTC medication active ingredients. Use
of the kit will lead to an improvement in the consumer's self
treatment and self management of OTC cold and cough medications,
thereby assuring the consumer's ability to achieve appropriate
therapy and to avoid therapeutic duplication and therapeutic misuse
of the OTC cold and cough medications. The majority of OTC cold and
cough medications that are currently marketed and sold in
combinations of one or more active ingredients, which results many
times in unknowledgeable consumers not receiving appropriate
symptomatic therapy, due to a consumer's selection and
administration of combination drug products potentially being based
on such factors as marketing, lay opinion/advice and/or guess work,
as opposed to appropriate active ingredient selection. This
invention works also by aiding those consumers who may be currently
combining various OTC drug products already, without proper
instruction.
[0024] The components of this invention work together to simplify a
consumer's medication selection process, given the fact that many
consumers are unknowledgeable as to the action and effects of
active ingredients of OTC cold and cough medications. The available
selection of OTC cold and cough combination products, which contain
one or more active ingredients, is quite extensive and may be
confusing and overwhelming to many consumers, which can cause a
consumer to spend a considerable amount of time when trying to
decide on a particular and appropriate OTC cold and cough therapy
medication. To simplify this process, the Essential Home Pharmacy
cold and cough "starter" or "basic" kit will preferably include
acetaminophen, phenylephrine, clorpheniramine, guaifenesin and
dextromethorphan, which will give the consumer over 30 possible
unique combination therapy choices, accounting for the vast
majority of all OTC cough and cold combination drug products
currently available.
[0025] The components of this invention work together to add
convenience of OTC cold and cough medication therapy to the
consumer by allowing for different symptoms to be treated by
different combinations of these single active ingredient
medications in the combination choice of the consumer, therefore
saving the consumer the need to buy additional OTC cold and cough
combination products each time new symptoms arise, or as symptoms
change or evolve, which also results in less frequent visits to
purchase medication as new symptoms arise, or as symptoms change or
evolve.
[0026] The present invention also releases the consumer from the
current restriction imposed upon the consumer by combination drug
therapy, which obligates the consumer to take all ingredients of a
combination drug product in relative equal therapeutic dosing
proportions, thus not allowing the consumer to decide if one
particular symptom is requiring a higher or lower dose for its
relief than another symptom. Consumers currently taking combination
drug products must choose to either take more of one medication to
get enough of the other(s), or not enough of one medication in
order to not over utilize the other(s).
[0027] A second embodiment utilizes an alternative kit similar to
the previous embodiment in purpose and functionality but with the
medications in liquid form for child dosing therapy. This kit will
also contain a syringe measuring device, similar to current syringe
measuring devices available. However, the syringe may be larger to
accommodate an increased liquid volume if medications are deemed
appropriate to be added together for the given symptoms, or the
medicine will be of a higher concentration in order to limit the
need for increased liquid volume, all of which will allow for easy
and accurate measuring and dosing from the medication bottles.
[0028] A third embodiment utilizes an alternative kit similar to
the first embodiment in purpose and functionality but with limited
and specifically targeted single active ingredient medications
deemed safe for women who are pregnant. This kit offers symptomatic
therapy for pregnant women who are concerned about potentially
harmful medication ingredients as classified by the FDA. This kit
will help to educate consumers, many of which are unfamiliar with
active ingredients of medications and their classification with the
FDA regarding pregnancy, so they may more appropriately achieve
safe cold and cough symptomatic therapy. Safe therapy is defined as
any drug that is rated by the FDA as a class A or class B as being
therapeutically safe for women who are pregnant. This kit is
comprised of the following medications: acetaminophen (class B) and
chlorpheniramine (class B).
[0029] Preferably, each medication that forms a part of the kit
will be made available separately, so that a consumer will be able
to replace depleted medications without having to purchase a
complete new kit.
[0030] A fourth embodiment of the present invention utilizes an
alternative kit similar to the original invention in purpose and
functionality but with limited and specifically targeted single
active ingredient medications deemed safe for consumers diagnosed
with high blood pressure. This kit offers symptomatic therapy for
consumers with high blood pressure who are concerned about
potentially harmful medication ingredients as classified by the
American Heart Association. This kit will help to educate
consumers, many of whom are unfamiliar with active ingredients of
medications and the classification of the medications with the AHA
regarding high blood pressure. By using the inventive kit,
consumers may more appropriately achieve safe cold and cough
symptomatic therapy. Safe therapy is defined as any drug that is an
approved cold and cough medication by the AHA, which organization
specifically discourages OTC decongestants. This kit is preferably
comprised of the following medications: acetaminophen,
chlorpheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenensin.
[0031] A fifth embodiment utilizes a kit similar to the first
embodiment of the present invention in general purpose and
functionality but containing bottles of single active ingredient
medications that are used in gastrointestinal related symptomatic
therapy, many of which are also found and can be purchased in
combination products, which again may lead to confusion and
complication to the consumer. This set is comprised of the
following medications:
[0032] 1. Acid reducer (preferably ranitidine, cimetidine, or
famotadine, but may include alternative medications) for treating
acid reflux.
[0033] 2. Stool softener (preferably docusate sodium or docusate
calcium, but may include alternative medications) for treating
constipation due to hard stools.
[0034] 3. Antidiarreal (preferably loperamide, but may include
alternative medications) for treating diarrhea.
[0035] 4. Anti-gas (preferably simethicone, but may include
alternative medications) for treating gas pressure.
[0036] 5. Laxative (preferably bisacodyl or senna, but may include
alternative medications) for treating constipation.
[0037] 6. Antacid (preferably calcium carbonate and/or magnesium
hydroxide, but may include alternative medications) for treating
heartburn.
[0038] Containers 12 of medicine may come with or without a
container holder/organizer 10. Organizer 10 may be a designed to
hold five or more or less containers 12. Alternatively, to ensure a
consumer's ability to make individual preferences among same
category active ingredient medications and for any other individual
preferences, consumers may customize their own Essential Home
Pharmacy kit. The container 12 holders/organizers 10 may be
constructed so that each of the individual wood, plastic or
cardboard medicine receptacles 13 can be removed or added, side by
side and/or back to back, as the consumer desires. Individual
receptacles 13 that contain a single container 12 of medication are
preferably coded with a category indicator 16. Each recepticle 13
may be constructed with a simple design of interconnectivity, such
as with thin magnets attached the sides of the receptacles 13, or
other possible methods, thus allowing a consumer to quickly and
easily connect and disconnect the receptacles 13 with other
Essential Home Pharmacy receptacles 13. In this way, consumers may
customize their own Essential Home Pharmacy kit according to their
individual preferences of single active ingredient medications.
Containers 12 of medication may also be available individually or
packaged together as a kit without the holder/organizer 10.
Alternatively, the holders 10 may make up a single package.
Cardboard packaging is preferred, although other materials may be
used, including wood or plastic.
[0039] All medication receptacles 13 should have a clear and
understandable display, e.g., label 18, located in front of the
receptacle 13 that will be attached to or be part of the receptacle
13. Label 18 preferably will state the name, the indications, and
the dosing information of the medication. Containers 12, e.g.,
medication bottles and bottle holders, of the same category of
single active ingredient medications may be of similar color.
However, indications of differences in actual active ingredient may
be presented by varied shades of a particular color or by other
obvious markings on the bottle and the bottle holder.
[0040] All individual containers 12 will preferably be available
for purchase individually to replace empty containers 12 within the
respective set as they are used up.
[0041] In addition to the embodiments of the present invention
described above, smaller versions of the previous embodiments
having the medications in any oral or "thin strip " other form, may
be provided that can be easily carried and will be specifically
useful for allowing consumers to take medication with them as they
desire.
[0042] In addition to OTC medications, the Essential Home Pharmacy
may include other categories of OTC products, such as vitamins,
diet aids, and/or other supplements, of which the components will
be compatible with other Essential Home Pharmacy products, in which
larger kits may be formed.
[0043] A comparison guide (FIG. 3) is preferably provided for
comparing well known OTC cold and cough and gastrointestinal name
brand combination medications that list the active ingredients of
each so the consumer may then match those active ingredients with
those in the Essential Home Pharmacy kit in order to receive a
comparable therapy as desired.
[0044] The bottle holders/organizers 10 may change in their
specific design due to marketability and/or logistical reasons
given that the essence of this invention is not the technical
design of the bottle holders/organizers but rather a solution to
the overdue need for education and simplification of current OTC
cold and cough combination drug therapy market, which currently is
not only unnecessarily confusing and time consuming to most
consumers, but potentially dangerous to consumers who lack the
knowledge of the active ingredient names, actions and effects found
in these products.
[0045] Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the
objectives and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as
well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred
embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure,
numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art. Such changes and modifications are
encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the
claims.
* * * * *